by Jane Charles
Uncle Walter waived his hand in dismissal and grumbled something under his breath Anna could not understand. Not that she was going to ask him to repeat himself. Instead, she allowed David to lead her to the far side of the room where a tea cart had been delivered and set about pouring a beverage for her and her husband.
A moment later, Lila came into the room. With her was Quent. Uncle Walter was going to like his presence even less than he had David’s.
David leaned in. “That wasn’t so bad,” he whispered in her ear.
She turned fully toward him, blocking out the rest of the room and the occupants. “I thought it was rather terrifying myself.”
He chuckled. “After last year and then last night, your uncle, in this state, isn’t so frightening.”
“Well, I’ll need to take your word, as I wasn’t present at either of those events.”
“Yes, but you will be present and by my side from now on.”
She smiled, anxious to begin their life together.
“First, where would you like to live?”
She blinked at him. Where they resided had never occurred to her.
“I do have a townhouse in London, but no estate of my own, yet.”
“Would we reside with your parents in the country?” she hesitantly asked, not sure if she was ready to move from her uncle’s home and into her in-laws. What if they didn’t approve.
“London it is,” he laughed and then leaned in. “After our wedding trip of course.”
Anna sucked in her breath. They were going to travel? “Where?”
“I’ve heard Florence is a lovely city. How would you like to spend Christmas there this year?”
“Oh, David,” Anna cried, tears coming to her eyes before she threw her arms about his neck. “Florence would be lovely.”
“Though, if you spend too much time with that other David, I might become jealous.”
She pulled back, giggling. “Trust me, he is nothing compared to you.”
Chapter 27
David and Anna stood on the steps outside of Marisdùn while a footman loaded Father Matthew’s belongings into the carriage. Not only had he blessed every room in the castle, save two, but he had blessed Brighid’s daughter as well. The herbarium and small chamber where Chetwey’s child were born were the only two rooms Father Matthew believed were already protected, claiming he felt the difference the moment he stepped inside.
Vicar Southward had grumbled at the blessing of the child and made Chetwey promise to bring the babe to the church the next day so that she could be properly baptized in a proper church, by a proper minister. As it had been Chetwey and the witch’s plans to do that all along, he agreed to present himself and his daughter before the vicar the next morning.
Father Matthew stopped before them, a concerned look upon his face. Surely the man wasn’t worried about Vicar Southward becoming possessed again. Or, was it something else they weren’t aware of.
“I understand ye will be traveling to Florence in a month.”
“Yes,” Anna said with a grin.
“Might I prevail upon ye to travel to Rome first?”
David shared a look with Anna. What was the priest about?
“I do love Rome too,” she said.
“Is there a particular reason you wish us to?” David asked with wariness. “A letter you wish delivered?” He hoped it was as simple as that but his gut warned otherwise.
“Aye, along with this.” He held out the box containing the possessed ring. The priest had also tied it securely with rope, wrapping it so tightly that you could barely see the box within.
Anna and David both took a step back.
“It canna harm ye if ye doona open the case.”
As they would have to also cut through the many ropes tied around it, they did not need to fear it accidently springing open. Still, David wished to stay as far away from that item as he could.
“I was going to send it on the next ship, but fear what might happen if someone were to become curious.”
David well understood his concern. He could just imagine the havoc a sailor could cause if he decided to rummage through the cargo.
“If ye have it with ye and deliver it to Rome, I ken it will not be opened. It’s much too dangerous ta leave ta chance.”
“Are you sure it is safe to keep with us?” Anna asked while she studied the box.
“It’s been in this castle for centuries, if not longer, without causing a bit of harm. Nothing happened until it was opened.”
Though, David did not like the idea of having it within his possession, it was far safer with him and Anna than anyone else.
“I’ll bury it in the bottom of my trunk and deliver it as you ask.”
Father Matthew visibly relaxed and handed him the box and a sealed parchment. “When you get to Rome, go to the Vatican and ask for Father Peter, the archivist. This letter will explain to him what is in the box. He’ll know what to do.”
“We promise to take care of it.” A shiver raced down her spine. “We won’t let it part from us until we hand it to Father Peter.”
Father Matthew smiled at her. “Thank you.” He stepped back. “Many blessings to ye both and may ye have a long and happy life.”
Anna stared at the box her husband held as Father Matthew entered his carriage. “How soon can we leave for Italy?”
David laughed. “Never fear, dear.” He wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her close. “The first week of December, and I promise not to let anything happen to you, or this box.”
“We can’t leave earlier?” she hedged.
“And have my mother angry with us for years to come?” He turned and escorted her back into the castle. “We will face her, let her fawn and proclaim to the world that her son has finally wed, and then we will set sail.”
“But, to have the box with us for a full month…”
“Don’t worry, darling. I have ways of making you forget all about it.”
Heat smoldered in his brown eyes and Anna’s heart skipped more than one beat. Yes, her husband would be very good at distracting her, and she looked forward to every moment he wished to direct her attention to more pleasant pursuits.
About Jane Charles
Jane Charles is a USA Today Bestselling author who has lived in the Midwest her entire life. As a child she would more likely be found outside with a baseball than a book in her hand. In fact, Jane hated reading until she was sixteen. Out of boredom on a long road trip she borrowed her older sister’s historical romance and fell in love with reading. She long ago lost count of how many novels she has read over the years and her love for them never died. Along with romance she has a passion for history and the two soon combined when she penned her first historical romance. What turned into a hobby became a passion. In addition to historical romances, she has been pulled to write contemporary and began penning her new series, Baxter Academy of Arts. She intends to continue writing both historical and contemporary.
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Jane Charles’s Historical Romance
The Tenacious Trents
Compromised For Christmas
Landing a Laird
A Misguided Lord
A Perfect Gentlemen
Devil in Her Dreams
A Lass For Christmas
A Reluctant Rake
Lady Revealed
Lady Disguised
Lady Concealed
A Tenacious Trent’s Wedding
Lady Admired
Wiggon’s School For Elegant Young Ladies
To Walk in the Sun
Ghosts From the Past
A Gentleman’s Guide to Once Upon a Time
His Impetuous Debutante
His Contrary Bride
His Not So Sensible Miss
His Christmas Match
Muses
&nb
sp; Her Muse, Lord Patrick
Her Muse, Her Magic
One More Haunted Evening
Jane Charles’s New Adult Romance
Valentine Wishes
Colors of You
Shadows of Memory
Casting Doubt
Between the Lines